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The A-Z Of Autism - M Is For

Saturday, 30 July 2016
20:41

When Mr L was diagnosed back in 2007 I didn't have a clue what Autism was or even what it meant, 8 years on and 2 more diagnoses its still a puzzle. I have been contemplating doing a blog series with all the words associated with Autism to help other parents and to maybe be a bit of a reference point. So say hello to the A to Z of Autism. Each week will be a different letter, last time was L is for and I got some fab inclusions from other autism parents. This time is M is For.....MisunderstoodFaith Mummy suggested this one. I have to agree with this one, my children are so misunderstood, by others not by us. There is also a lot of misconception/misunderstanding about autism in general.MakatonRainbows Are Too Beautiful says - it's used by many people who have difficulty communicating and it has been key for our whole family. Check out her post All Kinds Of CommunicationMilestonesRainbows Are Too Beautiful post #MadeUpMilestones is a great readGym Bunny Mummy says - definitely milestones for me, both the heartbreak of missing them but also the joy of little breakthroughs too. Take a look at her post Missing The MilestonesSomeone's Mum posted His Own Milestones and it's a fab read.Mum/Mom/Mummy/MotherThe Sensory Seeker Says - always knows best and is often the one who puts her life on hold, finds the support, the patience, the understanding.MoneyThe Sensory Seeker Says - things can be difficult when you have to fill out forms for DLA/PIP and struggle on carers allowance. I agree, I don't think people realise the financial strain of raising a child with additional needs, we can spend over £100 a month replacing clothing that they have chewed through!Mental Health IssuesAutism Mumma Says - so misunderstood (another M!) unless people have close experience of itMusicAutism Mumma Says - D gets such pleasure through listening to music, playing her flute and whistling songs, although the listening and whistling are always the same songs and once you've heard it ten times, it can be wearing. For us music can have varying effect, Miss S likes to listen to her type of music, but if something comes on and she doesn't like it she goes into full meltdown mode.MineAutism Mumma Says - as in not sharing, which causes issues. We have massive issues with this, the children are really protective over their things and hate others touching it!Mickey Mouse ClubhouseMother Geek Says - It's on for literally 20 hours a day here. It's the only thing that keeps Sam calm. Send booze! Haha, I can so relate, we have to watch Virgin on demand on a loop constantly!MelatoninAutism Mumma Says - without it my T and D wouldn't sleep. We have been on and off melatonin for the best part fo the last 10 years. Mr L doesn't have it all anymore, Miss S is still on the tablet form called Circadin and sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't .MeditationThe Sensory Seeker Says - helping to switch the brain from one processing system to another.Me TimeBeing a parent is hard work, being a special needs parent is that bit trickier. Be kind to yourself, make a little me time, even if its only 1 hour a week. You need to be able to switch off and think of no one but yourself.Motor SkillsSome children wth autism have poor/delayed motor skills. Mr L is 12 and still cannot ride a bike and tie his shoe laces. He says it's too much for his brain to think about at the same time. Are there any other M's you can think of that could be added? If so do leave them all below in the comments. I will be back again soon with the next post, which will be N is for.......

Motor Skills, you mention your child still being unable to tie his shoelaces. I can recall having difficulty in school (primary) when given card with picture of shoe and some laces on it. Task was to tie the shoelaces. I kept trying to copy the others :- pupils and teacher, yet somehow just did not seem to work for me. I thought am I missing a small but important part of the task. As no matter how many times I tried :- was unsuccessful.

When I was alone tried tying laces, and managed it. It seems that I just have my own way of doing the task. I as yet have not come across another person who ties lace like me as yet. Though some people are so quick at the task that it is not easy to see each individual step / part of the overall task. Still I managed the task 'my way'.

Hopefully your son will find a way that suit him for completing tasks etc. As we do want individuals to be as independent as they can be, to " Reach their Potential" etc.